Govt Fund Gives Major Boost to Public Recycling

Govt Fund Gives Major Boost to Public Place Recycling

The Glass Packaging Forum (the Forum) today received funding from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund to manage a major initiative to increase the availability of permanent and temporary recycling facilities as part of New Zealand’s preparations to host the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in less than one year’s time.

The $1.6 million grant to the Forum was announced by the Hon Dr Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment to representatives from each of the 12 regions which are hosting RWC 2011 matches and key stakeholders.

In addition to the Government funding the Forum is contributing $440,000 to install glass recycling infrastructure and to undertake public education around recycling. Councils in each of the 12 regions are themselves funding recycling facilities for RWC 2011 with a combined value estimated to be in excess of $1 million.

The project will promote recycling under the LoveNZ brand which will be seen on recycling bins around the country and will be supported by an advertising campaign.

John Webber, General Manager of the Glass Packaging Forum said:-

“In Spring 2011 New Zealand will host over 85,000 visitors who expect to find recycling facilities at stadia and fan-zones; in high streets; transport terminals; tourist attractions; and camp sites. We know that one of the most common complaints by tourists is that there are not enough recycling options and too much rubbish and litter. This project aims to reverse this via a unique combination of central government, local government and private sector funding.

“The project will support and promote the LoveNZ brand which is owned by the Government and our vision is to make public place recycling happen for the Love of New Zealand. This may initially be a $2 million project but through the contributions of local government and the level of interest we have already had from the transport and hospitality sector, we want to turn this into a multi-million dollar initiative.”

The project and its partners will fund:-

• The purchase of permanent bins which will be maintained and serviced by local councils;
• Hire and servicing of temporary recycling bins for glass, plastic and cans during the Tournament;
• Purchase of colour coded bin lids to help people recognize which bin to put things in and flags to identify recycling stations which will be available for use as a legacy after the RWC; and
• The development of an advertising campaign which can be used by each of the regions.

The project is set to reduce container waste to landfill by up to 20% by recycling 8705 tonnes of plastic, cans and glass bottles which are consumed in public places where there are no existing recycling facilities.

The partners in this project are committed to working together so that they can use their collective buying power to reduce costs and at the same time back a consistent LoveNZ brand to help deliver a positive behavior change towards recycling.

The campaign will get underway in early 2011 with the intention to promote the LoveNZ brand on recycling bins at 17 nationwide MOREFM winery concerts and at Super 15 matches.

ENDS

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